February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Connie Kelly
Supporters of both teams in this senior hurling clash were out in force to watch what was expected to be a very close game. At half-time, the sides were level at 1-2 to 0-5. In the end, Galway defeated Cork by 2-9 to 1-7.
Cork were on the board after just one minute of play with a point by Rory Dwyer from a free. Pat Dwyer had Cork up by two with a point from play.
Galway’s Johnny Murray was off the mark twice from frees before he converted his third attempt eight minutes into the game.
Cork’s Damien McSweeney came very close on having a goal but his shot was just wide.
The only goal of the half came from Galway’s Peter Cooney after 17 minutes.
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Cork came right back with Rory Dwyer making a lovely pass to Robert O’Mahoney but he was fouled and Dwyer sent over the free.
John Casey started Cork’s next attack. He found Damien McSweeney, who passed it off to Dwyer who again was fouled. Dwyer pointed the free and the sides were level 1-1 to 0-4.
Benny Lawless put Galway one up with a very good point from play.
Cork were fouled on their next attack and Dwyer had the sides level with the free.
Just before the half time, Galway mounted one last charge and Cork responded with two great saves by goalie Eugene O’Gorman. At the half, both teams looked well matched and the score was tied.
In the second half, Galway made two changes. They brought on county senior Tony Griffen from Clare at wing forward and Galway under-21 Martin Cullaine at corner forward to replace Vinny Frank and Owen Fergus. These two players dominated the game for Galway, Tony Griffen scoring 1-2 and Martin Cullaine four points, all from play. Johnny Murray had Galway’s other point, a free.
Damien McSweeney scored 1-1 and Luke 0-1 for Cork.
After this second half performance, Galway will be hard to beat.
McAnespies record intact
McAnespies keep their perfect record intact with a very convincing win over Connemara Gaels on a score of 1-17 to 2-7.
McAnespies looked very sharp in the opening 30 minutes. Using the corners very effectively, they racked up 1-12 to 0-4.
For the Gaels, Gregory McCartan and Ross Hainsworth won the battle at midfield over Mark Lukeman and Michael Geoghegan and up front Oliver Murphy, Nigel Regan and Paddy Stones picked off some lovely points.
It took 15 minutes for Mark Lewis to open the Gaels account. Mike Geoghegan added another but the blistering pace left the Gaels in trouble time and again.
Ross Hainsworth was pulled down on route to goal and McCartan buried the resulting penalty. Martin Harvey broke through for a point some 55 yards out. Steve Conway and Mike Sullivan added two for the Gaels but Regan and Murphy piled on the pressure for McAnespies and, at the half, things did not look good for the Gaels.
The second half saw the Gaels outscore McAnespies 2-3 to 0-5 but this came late in the game. Mike O’Sullivan and a goal for the Gaels followed with a penalty goal by Pat O’Malley. Alan O’Connor and Steve Conway added points.
So now, McAnespies will take on Kerry on Aug. 6.
Mayo got the Blues
In the second senior game, Shannon Blues had five points to spare over a short-handed Mayo team, 3-9 to 1-10.
The Blues looked like they were going to crush Mayo and were ahead 3-6 to 0-5 at the half, the goals coming from Cathal Goulding, Dara Kennelly and Clinton Hennessy.
Mayo, without their regular goalie, made somewhat of a comeback in the second half, outscoring the Blues 1-5 to 0-3.
Mayo play Donegal on July 30 and Shannon Blues face off with Cork on Aug. 13.